Day 3 at the ATP Masters 1000 in Madrid will see the debut of many of the seeds, including recent Monte Carlo finalist Holger Rune, among many other elite players. This day is sure to feature plenty of exciting, high-level action as everyone aims to win the first ever Madrid Masters edition to be played over two weeks.
ATP Masters 1000 Madrid Day 3 Predictions
Pablo Carreno Busta vs Oscar Otte
Head-to-head: Carreno Busta 1-0 Otte
The Canada Masters title last year was like an oasis in the desert for a player who has been struggling for form and fitness for a very long time. Having not played at all since Rotterdam, it’s unclear what kind of shape Carreno Busta is in, but still considering the surface you’d still pick him over Otte, who will be anxious for the grass swing to arrive so he can aim at some deep runs.
Prediction: Carreno Busta in 2
Tallon Griekspoor vs Jaume Munar
Head-to-head: Griekspoor 1-0 Munar
Only a year ago it would be unthinkable to have Griekspoor as a seed at a Masters tournament, but here we are. The Dutch has been making steady progress and a big part of the reason why he’s ranked so high is his title in Pune early this year, for which he had to beat Munar in the first round in very convincing fashion to kickstart his maiden title run. On clay, it should be a much closer affair and Munar might even have the edge given the surface and the fact that he plays at home.
Prediction: Munar in 3
Karen Khachanov vs Thiago Monteiro
Head-to-head: Khachanov 3-0 Monteiro
Without raising a lot of waves, Khachanov has been steadily climbing back up the rankings (#12 now) and going deep in big events, with semifinals in Australia and Miami already this year. These fast clay conditions might well suit his game and spur him on to another deep run.
Prediction: Khachanov in 2
Holger Rune vs Alexander Bublik
Head-to-head: Bublik 1-0 Rune
Rune was having a somewhat disappointing season until the past few weeks, but a final in Monte Carlo (where he was up 4-1 in the deciding set and so close to winning a second career Masters 1000) and title in Munich have added some shine to it for sure. Rune is rightly considered one of the main contenders for Roland Garros and he’ll be looking to have a strong start here against an opponent who can always be tricky on his day.
Prediction: Rune in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
